June 23, 2011 - The first order of business at the monthly meeting of the Leonard City Council last Tuesday, June 14, was to swear in newly elected/appointed council members. Mayor Bill Yoss gave the oath of office to returning council members Steven Bolin and Larry Thompson and to new council members Tammy Barnes and Darrell Grintz.

New City Administrator Allecia Booher had a document drawn up showing the City Secretary answers to the City Administrator and not the City Council and the council passed the new ordinance unanimously.

The council took action to remove Butch Henderson and Nancy Robinson, both retired or soon to be retired, from the signature card at American Bank of Texas and had Allecia Booher and Sherilyn Carpenter added in their places.

During the City Administrator's reports it was announced by Booher that Carpenter would be assuming the City Secretary position and Kristen Melichar has been hired to take Carpenter's place as Municipal Court Clerk.

Booher also announced that about $100,000 is owed to the city for completion of work toward the grants. She reported that by Friday, June 17, the work on Houston Street would be completed. The only grantwork remaining is nowstreet and sidewalk repairs on three blocks of Cedar Street. All work has to be finished by July 18.

Discussion was held in reference to a company wishing to relocate to Leonard in the old Johnson Ladder Company plant location. A tour of the facility revealed a large amount of vandalism had occurred and the company is trying to work with the city on repairing the property, in addition to purchasing it from a bank out of foreclosure. Action is still being taken to hopefully bring this industry to Leonard.

The council approved the destruction of four boxes of old daily sheets and cash register tapes from 2006-07 and two old boxes of accounts payable files from 2006-07 as they have passed their retention time of three years.

The last new business item on the agenda was to set a budget workshop at 5:30 p.m. on July 12, preceding the regular council meeting. More budget workshop meetings will be scheduled.